For all those of you wondering, Beersheba is the largest city in the desert of Negev of Southern Israel, often referred to as the ‘Capital of the Negev’, it is the center of the fourth most populous metropolitan area in Israel. This desert city is housed with several museums, monuments and historic landmarks that are worth exploring and make it one of the most visited tourist destinations in Israel. The second-largest city in Israel, here’s a list of 6 best things to do in Beersheba for a mind-boggling trip with your family and friends.

Beersheba or Beer Sheva was established in the 20th century when a permanent settlement was established by the Ottoman Turks. Since then Beersheba has grown rapidly with a large growing population comprising of descendants of Sephardi Jews and Mizrahi Jews who immigrated from Arab countries after 1948. This ancient city dating from the Biblical times has plenty of unique and interesting things to do that the tourists can enjoy and capture the moments creating memories of a lifetime in Beersheba.

6 Things To Do In Beersheba

Explore the archeological ruins and the historic sites of this ancient city of Israel, the capital of the Negev, Beerhseba. Here are our top picks for the old turkish town, read on to know more about this ancient Biblical city and things to do on your fascinating trip.

1. Get Inspired By The Art – Negev Art Museum

The Negev Museum of Art is located in the heart of Beersheba, the museum gives a glimpse into the contemporary outlook of art. It has some of the best masterpieces of upcoming artists that are a portrayal of milestones in the history of Israel. Take a trip down memory lane and relish the historic art of this city at this museum. Once upon a time, it used to accommodate the city’s ;large mosque and the governor’s house dating back to the time of the Ottoman Empire in Israel.

2. Time Travel At The Turkish Railway Station

Travel back in time at this historic railway station of Beersheba, the Turkish Railway Station that is located in the West of the Old City. The history of this station goes back to when it was first opened in the year 1915 during the Ottoman rule in Palestine and the World War 1. The complex now houses an intriguing photo exhibition on Ottiman and Mandate-era Beerhsheba. You can witness the cavalry captured during the time of WWI and the steam engine, a luxurious car from 1922 and a Turkish WW! Memorial built in 2002.

3. Indulge In A Traditional Food Affair At Khan Vadhan

Welcomings guests in a traditional setting is a thing in Beersheba, Bedouin communities in Israel can usually be spotted in the Negev region and performing these traditions that if often accompanied with delicious food in a Bedouin Khan (tent). You will be welcomed with traditional coffee and tea, you will be seated on the floor in the tent with pillows and get to indulge in a traditional pita meal with labane or hummus.

4. Shopping At The Grand Canyon Mall

Grand Canyon Mall is the second-largest mall of Israel and caters to all your shopping needs. Go and splurge at the mall’s many fancy and big fashion stores. The mall comprises of over 250 retail stores, including many international brands and chains, as well as a large food court that includes a playground for the kids as well.

5. Relish The History At The Negev Brigade

The monument to the Negev Brigade, locally known as the Andarta, is a monument designed by Dani Karavan in memory of the members of the Palmach Negev Brigade. It is a historically significant monument that was built in the 1960s in memory of fallen members of the Palmach organization. Marvel at the intriguing design and architecture of the monument that is built in different shapes and sizes, referencing elements which are symbolic to Palmach and to the war.

6. Witness The Blooming Red Fields At Darom Adom

Darom Adom is an annual Israeli festival that held from January till the end of February, during the Anemone flower blooming season in the northern Negev region of Israel. This festival is mainly to combine agriculture with tourism, it holds specific activities that you can indulge in like agricultural tours, farmers’ markets, countryside lodging and other sports activities including marches, race and bike tours through the red fields of the northern Negev. The best places to witness the festival are Shokda forest, Dvira Forest, Be’eri Forest and Ruhama.

This ancient city dating back to Biblical times is off the beaten track and upbeat with traditional activities, monuments, museums and historic landmarks that will inspire you to book your tickets and take a drip down to the capital of the Negev right away! This desert city was built by the Ottomans and has a rich past attached to making it the ideal destination for history buffs to explore, today it contains interesting monuments of this period. We hope that the list of the best things to do in Beersheba enticed you enough to take a trip down memory lane and revive its culture. The Turkish Railways Station which was built during the first world war and many more buildings and streets which set the scene of life in the streets. Revive the glorious past of this city by visiting some of these monuments and the museum of Negev, this city has rapidly grown and expanded into a metropolitan city but it has seen its days. It is now home to a large number of universities which means it has seen a massive boom in student population, bustling with college crowd who live here making this ancient city a trending one with a lot of fascinating things to do. Make sure you add them to your itinerary and tell us about your fascinating holiday in Beersheba later!